Last Monday night many Australian’s watched in horror, shock and utter sadness when ABC Four Corners screened “Making A Killing”, with undercover footage taken at various private Greyhound race training facilities across Australia they exposed illegal live baiting with baby piglets, possums and rabbits.
Greyhounds Are The Fastest Breed Of Dog In Existence
Since the story has aired over 100,000 thousand Australians just like you have taken action and voiced their disgust by demanding an independent review of the greyhound racing industry in every state and territory. You have taken a stand that can change the ending!
As a result dozens of trainers have been suspended or stood down, celebrity ambassadors and major sponsors have pulled away from the industry, the entire CEO board in New South Wales have resigned, the Queensland Chief Integrity Officer has been stood down while further investigations of animal cruelty within Greyhound racing are occurring across the country.
Prior to the live-baiting investigation, a small number of welfare groups have been trying desperately to make the public aware that more than 20,000 greyhounds are born each year in Australia and only approx 60% of them will have the capabilities needed to win a race. Those that go on to race will have short careers, they will finish racing between the ages of 2 and 4. When you take into account that the average life span of a Greyhound is 14-15 years you wonder what happens to all the unwanted Greyhounds.
A Greyhound Has Stereoscopic Vision. They Often Do Not See Stationary Objects
All greyhound pups are recorded and ear tattooed at birth. Yet the association seemingly holds no record of them or where they go. There is no accountability for these dogs. As in the Tasmania September 2004 case, where a Greyhound was discovered buried alive; her ears were hacked off to avoid identification from the tattoos. She was euthanized to end her suffering.
The truth is, only a very small percentage are ever rescued and become family pets.
Greyhound rescue and adoption groups such as Gumtree Greys, Friends of the Hound, Greyhound Rescue and Amazing Greys do an outstanding job. They have worked so hard for so many years in educating the public about Greyhounds. Many people have incorrectly assumed Greyhounds are aggressive and now an even worse step backwards think Greyhounds that have been live baited cannot be re-homed. Which is just not true.
So what happens now? Their kennels and foster homes are already bursting at the seams and with so many more Greyhounds now destined for abandonment, they need your help!
YOU can do something. YOU can change the ending.
Generally Greyhounds Are Unable To Sit. This Is Why You Usually Only Ever See Them Laying Or Standing.
Educate:
Watch this short video by Animals Australia and Animal Liberation Qld
- Greyhounds are by nature very gentle
- Easy to train, they like to please
- No different to any other dog (as it is within all breed of dogs, some have a higher prey/chase drive than another)
- Require only a small amount of exercise
- Happy to live in an apartment, suburban block or acreage
- Couch potatoes! They can be quite lazy and love to just chill out
- Very low barkers
- Low shed; they are considered low allergen as they do not have an undercoat
- They are generally a healthy breed
- Great with children and generally most dogs
- They tend to move around rooms quite slowly, making them ideal for the elderly
- Amazing to watch when they decide to do a mad race around the yard!
- Most Greyhounds adjust exceptionally well to their new lives. They are great dogs and make awesome family members!
Greyhounds Are Commonly Referred To As “45mph Couch Potatoes”
Foster:
Rescue groups have become inundated with requests to surrender Greyhounds. They are desperately begging for foster carers. If you can open your heart and home for one or more of these wonderful dogs please urgently contact a rescue group today! It is a great way to immediately help save lives.
Adopt:
Read This Story About An Owner Of A Rescued Greyhound.
If you are thinking about getting a dog, please consider a Greyhound. They are amazing dogs that make the most wonderful family pets. Please urgently contact a rescue group today and save a life!
Donate:
Without enough foster carers or adoptions, donations are urgently needed to help build more kennels and pay for private boarding kennels in the effort to reduce the amount of dogs that trainers or owners may feel they have to euthanize. Any donation small or large would be greatly appreciated by these amazing Greyhound rescue groups.
Educate. Foster. Adopt. Donate.
The Greyhound Is The Only Breed Of Dog Mentioned In The Bible. Proverbs 30, Verses 29-31
Author Bio: Nikki is pack leader at Pressplay Pets, a blog for the modern age pet parent interested in health & care, news, reviews & personal accounts of unconditional love & at times heartfelt pain of pet parenting. She is also proud mum to cute and cheeky Papillons ‘Amber’ and ‘Indy’ and one crazy Rainbow Lorikeet named ‘Ralph’! Follow my Facebook and Twitter.
Pressplay Pets a blog for the modern age pet parent interested in health & care, news, reviews & personal accounts of unconditional love & at times heartfelt pain of pet parenting!
Follow Us!
